I'm researching an old Mercian bike that I may buy.
A beautiful machine but it is 20 years old. Nice lugged
steel with 531 tubing. I asked a local mechanic about
the bike and he said that an old bike might not be
"as lively" as he put it. Metal fatigue or something.
The bike looks to be only lightly used. I've never
had the impression that steel would degrade
in quality just by sitting in one place--in terms
of the ride or strength. If ridden hard--for a looong
time maybe--metal fatigue is a real phenomenon but
it sounds like a non-issue for a lightly used old lugged
bike. Thoughts?